Cut or Uncut.—"A Great Reader," in your last, asks for much; although, without irony, I wish he may get it. In demanding "books and periodicals ready cut," he invites booksellers to relinquish an obvious advantage, in palpable evidence of newness, which they are not likely to relinquish in deference to any such abstraction of civilization. Let us rather "go in" for the compromise exemplified in an early issue of the Handy Shakspeare, but sine (quoad my experience) abandoned. Give us a clean shave of lateral edges, leaving the needful test—and less than half of the present obstacle—at top. My humble benison on him who shall first lay down such rule, and—stick to it.

A DISCURSIVE.

Lunar Observations.—It may interest your readers to know at once that there is confirmation of Herr Schmidt's observation on the Lunar Crater Linné, alluded to in the Athenœum of December 8, in connexion with the labours of the Moon Committee of the British Association. On Thursday evening, December 13th, I spent a couple of hours with Mr. Birt and Mr. Talmage at Mr. Gurney Barclay's Observatory at Leyton, examining the spot with Mr. Barclay's very fine telescope of 10 inches aperture. During this time the moon was constantly covered by a fine veil of cloud; but Bessel and its shadows were very distinctly visible. No trace of Linné to be seen. Our impression was that Linné ought certainly to be visible under the circumstances, which allowed such very distinct observation of the neighbouring Bessel. I have this morning a note from Mr. Talmage to inform me that after Mr. Birt and myself had left the Observatory, under the impression that all further chance of observation was gone, the clouds suddenly cleared quite away, giving him an unexceptionable opportunity of examination. He then found that a spot he had previously taken for Linné was Sulpicius Gallus, and that no trace of Linné was visible, but that where it should be there was a faint circular cloud-like spot ("petit nuage blanchâtre" of Herr Schmidt). Mr. Talmage was enabled carefully to verify the fact that the "cloud" occupies the exact position that the crater Linné should hold.

ROBERT JAMES MANN, M.D.

To CORRESPONDENTS—E. F.—C.—A. R. W.—W. G. J.—R. J. L.—received.

THE ILLUSTRATED CHRISTMAS GIFT-BOOK For 1866-7.

TWO CENTURIES OF SONG, comprising Lyrics, Madrigals, Sonnets, and other Occasional Verse of the English Poets of the last Two Hundred Years. With Critical and Biographical Notes by WALTER THORNBURY. Illustrated by Original Pictures of Eminent Artists. Drawn and Engraved especially for this Work. Printed on toned paper, with coloured borders. Very handsomely bound, with clasp, price 1l. 1s.

List of Illustrations.

Drawn by

Engraved by

The Stolen Kiss

I. Lamont

Orrin Smith.

Paying Labourers

H. S. Marks

Orrin Smith.

Milton's Home

E. K. Johnson

H. Harral.

Chamber Music

T. Morten

H. Harral.

Phyllis

G. Leslie

W. J. Linton.

Sunset by the Sea

W. P. Burton

H. Harral.

The Little Gossip

G. H. Thomas

W. Thomas.

Colin and Phœbe

W. Small

H. Harral.

The Whipper-in

G. B. Goddard

W. Thomas.

The Spinnet

E. K. Johnson

H. Harral.

The First Primroses

E. Wimperis

W. J. Linton.

When the Kye comes Hame

F. B. Barwell

W. J. Linton.

Indian Landscape

J. Wolf

H. Harral.

Home, Sweet Home

E. Wimperis

W. J. Palmer.

Early Spring

Edmund Warren

W. Thomas.

The Wayside Well

E. Wimperis

W.J. Palmer.

Philip's Farm

W. P. Burton

H. Harral.

Baffled

J. Wolf

H. Harral.

The Impending Check-Mate

T. Morten

W. Thomas

The Ornamental Title-page and Borders designed by HENRY SHAW, F.S.A., and engraved by R. B. UTTING.

"'Two Centuries of Song' goes far to redeem the credit of 1866 for Christmas books. The arabesque borders to the beautifully-toned pages are in exquisite taste, and of high typographic merit. Of these there are sixteen patterns. Larger full-page illustrations are not wanting, and the sides, glittering in all the glory of green and gold, are secured by a handsome clasp."—Reader.

"'Two centuries of Song' is a collection of 'lyrics, madrigals, sonnets, and other occasional verse of the English poets of the last two hundred years.' The gathering begins with George Wither's famous poem, 'Shall I, wasting in despair,' and ends with Mr. Walter Thornbury's 'I send thee but a simple gift.' The latter poet has made the collection, and it is a good one, embracing pieces from the works of more than a hundred various authors, from Browning and Brummell, to Waller, Wordsworth, and Alaric Alexander Watts. The poems are illustrated by engravings from equally various hands, and are generally of a bright and lively kind… All the engraving in this book is good: indeed, that is one of its chief merits."—Pall Mall Gazette.

"Solidly bound in green and gold cloth, which looks so like morocco as not to disgrace the metal clasp which holds the covers together, Mr. Walter Thornbury's "Two Centuries of Song; or, Lyrics, Madrigals, Sonnets, and other Occasional Verse of the English Poets of the Last Two Hundred Years,' recommends itself as a volume pleasant in its contents, and charming in its illustrations. Many of the landscapes are very beautiful; the figure-pieces are generally good; the tinted borders to the pages are extremely graceful: and the arabesque on the half-title is one of the most dainty and fascinating things of the kind we have ever seen."—Daily News.

"It avoids long poems, and inclines rather to graceful and elegant trifles, whether they are associated with great names or not. We may consult it if we wish to see how near Milton came to writing verses of society, or what Dr. Johnson could achieve as an amatory poet. It contains songs differing widely in date and quality—for instance. Carey's 'Sally in our Alley,' and Haynes Bayly's 'I'd be a butterfly.' The type is clear, the paper tinted, the borders handsome, the illustrations are generally good, and some of them are by artists who seldom appear as illustrators."

Guardian.

"The book is good as well as handsome. Literature and Art being alike well represented in it."Examiner.

"A book of which any drawing-room table may be proud."

London Review.

London: SAMPSON LOW, SON & MARSTON, Milton House, Ludgate-hill.

JUST PUBLISHED.

2. In 2 thick vols. small 8vo. 24s. cloth,LECTURES ON GREEK PHILOSOPHY, And other Philosophical Remains OFJAMES FREDERICK FERRIER, B.A. Oxon, LL.D., Late Professor of Moral Philosophy and Political Economy in the University of St. Andrews.

EDITED BY Sir ALEXANDER GRANT, Bart. LL.D., Director of Public Instruction, Bombay: And E. L. LUSHINGTON, M.A., Professor of Greek in the University of Glasgow.

3. In 2 vols. with Map, price 21s.MEMOIRS OF THE CONFEDERATE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE

By HEROS VON BORCKE, Chief of Staff to General J. E. B. Stuart.

4. In 3 vols. post 8vo.SIR BROOK FOSSBOOKE.

By CHARLES LEVER.

5. In 1 vol 4to. with numerous Illustrations, price THE OPERATIONS OF WAR.

Explained and Illustrated.

By EDWARD BRUCE HAMLEY, Colonel in the Army, and Lieut.-Colonel Royal Artillery formerly Professor of Military History, Strategy, and Tactics at the Staff College; Member of the Council of Military Education.

6. Price 6s.GEOLOGY FOR GENERAL READERS.

A Series of Popular Sketches in Geology and Palæontology.

By DAVID PAGE, F.R.S.E. F.G.S. Second Edition, containing several New Chapters.